“Long Live the Farmer: Diversity & Biodiversity” is theme of 35th Northeast Organic Farming Association’s 2017 Winter Conference

“Long Live the Farmer: Diversity & Biodiversity” is theme of 35th Northeast Organic Farming Association’s 2017 Winter Conference
Event also encompasses first-ever Northeast Organic Seed Conference

Farmington, NY—For the first time in its 35-year history, the Northeast Organic Faming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) adds a significant new dimension to its 2017 Organic Farming & Gardening Winter Conference, Long Live the Farmer: Diversity & Biodiversity. From January 20-22, this year’s event features a “conference within a conference”: the first Northeast Organic Seed Conference: Owning Our Own Seed.
“Since 1983, we have successfully collaborated on this annual event with the sustainable agriculture community of New York State,” said NOFA-NY Executive Director Andrianna Natsoulas. “With the exciting addition of the seed conference, we look forward to inspiring and informing an even larger audience of participants.”
With this dynamic group of seed professionals, the three-day Winter Conference expands its breadth and depth, hosting 100+ workshops in 17 special interest tracks. Tying the two conferences together is the eminent CR Lawn, keynote speaker and founder of Fedco Seeds, a hybrid consumer/worker farm and garden products cooperative. Drawing on a lifetime of knowledge and experience, Lawn’s discussion focuses on creating an ethical, sustainable seed system and sharing strategies for overcoming obstacles.
"Saving seed has been a rich tradition in the Northeast for millennia,” notes Fruition Seeds Co-founder Petra Page-Mann.  “Though we've lost much of our connection with food and seed in the last century, the burgeoning network of seed savers, breeders, growers, distributors and sowers of seed in our bioregion has inspired this historic collaboration of conferences.  Whether it’s to to strengthen technical skills, cultivate new revenue streams, taste the cutting edge of organic plant breeding or integrate into the emerging models of seed stewardship, attendees will find much to learn and be inspired by.”
Conference highlights include a seed swap, a special joint presentation by award-winning chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Cornell vegetable breeder Michael Mazourek on the practicalities and possibilities of chef-breeder collaboration, special half-day workshop intensives, and a full-day hands-on-farm horse-powered demonstration, book signings, films, and social activities.

Farmers busy planting and harvesting from spring through fall attend NOFA-NY’s Winter Conference to recharge and re-invigorate through the networking, reciprocal teaching and learning, and mentor opportunities afforded through the wide variety of workshops. This year, participants can choose from tracks including fruit, vegetables, livestock, grains, beverage, mushrooms, permaculture, gardening and homesteading, draft animals, as well as marketing and business, policy, social justice, urban farming, small scale food processors, and community, education, and co-ops.  Attendees also have the opportunity to to speak with the more than 80 conference vendors.
As is tradition, NOFA-NY also presents its annual “Farmer of the Year” award. The 2017 winners are Mike and Gayle Thorpe of Thorpe’s Organic Family Farm, often described as being “diversity gone wild.” Their family-owned and operated farm encompasses more than 2,000 acres of organically managed land. Located in East Aurora, New York, the Thorpes grow over 300 varieties of certified organic fruits, vegetables, hay, and grains, have a CSA of 540 families, and an organic citrus grove in Florida.
A children’s conference with hands-on activities is available for attendees’ children ages 5-12. Pre-registration is required. Fees are $130 for the full children’s conference or $55/day.
Online registration is open at www.nofany.org/conference, or by calling the NOFA-NY office (585) 271-1979. Full conference registration is available ($285) or pro-rated for full- and half-day intensive sessions. NOFA-NY members receive a 10% registration discount. The Early Bird deadline is Tuesday, December 13 for a $10 discount. Pre-registration closes Friday, January 15, 2017. Walk-ins are welcome.

A 20% student discount may be awarded to groups of three or more students; those interested should contact (585) 271-1979. (Not subject to Early Bird Discount, and valid Student ID required.)  A limited number of scholarships also are available; visit http://www.nofany.org/scholarships.  All applications must be received by 11:59 pm on December 2, with awardees notified December 9.
Registration fees include breakfasts and lunches, all workshops (including the seed conference), trade show, keynote addresses, meetings, and all other scheduled activities.  The Saratoga Hilton and City Center is located at 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY.

NOFA-NY is a member-based, non-profit educational organization of farmers, gardeners, and consumers creating a sustainable regional food system that is ecologically sound and economically viable. Through demonstration and education, it promotes land stewardship, organic food production, and local marketing.  NOFA-NY brings consumer and farmer closer together to make high quality food available to all people.
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